Navy F-35 Crashes Near NAS Lemoore; Pilot Ejects Safely, Grass Fire Contained
A U.S. Navy F-35 fighter jet crashed in a rural area of Fresno County on Wednesday evening, triggering a grass fire but leaving the pilot unharmed after a successful ejection, officials confirmed.
The crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. near West Cadillac and South Dickinson avenues, just a few miles from Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, the Navy’s largest jet base on the West Coast. The pilot ejected moments before the aircraft went down and was recovered safely, according to base officials. No injuries to civilians or military personnel on the ground were reported.
Cal Fire said the crash ignited a fast-moving grass fire that scorched nearly 12 acres of dry land before being contained. Fire crews remained on site into the evening to monitor hot spots, but no homes, businesses, or infrastructure were threatened.
The downed aircraft was attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), known as the “Rough Raiders.” Based at NAS Lemoore, the squadron is the Navy’s dedicated training unit for aviators learning to operate the F-35C Lightning II — the carrier-capable variant of the advanced stealth fighter.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and officials said recovery and cleanup operations are ongoing at the crash site.
